Chapter 202

The police officer was knocked around by him, bleeding from the mouth and nose with bloodshot eyes; it seemed he was about to draw his gun. At that moment, the team leader came over, narrowed his eyes, and asked in surprise, “Lao Chen, is that you?” Seeing it was an acquaintance he had met often at drinking parties, Chen Baicheng said urgently, “How could it not be me? Captain Wang, quickly get your officers back—I have an urgent matter!” Seeing his anxious expression, which was rare, Captain Wang knew something serious must be going on. Muttering, “How could someone report a robbery here!?” he waved his hand to dismiss the team. Chen Baicheng thanked him and led them to the police station.

As he had predicted, Ma Feng was attacking the DL branch. Though called a branch, it was actually just a small dance hall. San Yan had also arrived in DL not long ago with limited funds, so they had acquired an inexpensive dance hall as a temporary base. Their manpower was even scarcer, with most members transferred from Long Tang. This time, Chen Baicheng led hundreds of people—essentially bringing in everyone they had—while there were only a dozen people guarding the dance hall, easily overwhelmed. The distance from DL to Lushun wasn’t far but not close either; it took an hour to get there, and at least two hours round trip. Anything could happen in those two hours. Ma Feng and Yamada, leading about 200 men, quickly dealt with those dozen guards. Ma Feng’s eyes turned red with excitement as he shouted, “Find those two girls for me! We’re in for some fun!”

Search! The 200 men searched frantically, jumping around. They were cheerful while searching but listless when they returned, reporting one after another, “No!” Ma Feng frowned and muttered, “No? That’s impossible. I saw them enter this dance hall with my own eyes. Search again—find them carefully!”

The dance hall wasn’t big, with only a few rooms. The 200+ men almost dug through the ground, but still found nothing. Ma Feng grew impatient and glanced at Yamada, who also looked puzzled, frowning deeply. Ma Feng snapped, “Damn it! Could people possibly fly away?!”

Only heaven knows if people can grow wings, but the two sisters of the Gao family definitely didn’t. Chen Baicheng left with his large group, but the dozen or so members of the secret team did not follow. There were no fools among them; those who were able to “graduate” early and be released by Liu Bo were extremely shrewd. One of them, named Wang Liang, was the leader of this group. In his early twenties, he was quick-witted and far beyond ordinary people. Although he had undergone more than a year of intensive training under Liu Bo, he remained well-informed about the outside world. He knew much more about Ma Feng than Chen Baicheng did. Seeing them all leave, he shook his head in secret, but since his experience and status were far inferior to Chen Baicheng’s, he didn’t dare say anything. After discussing it with the others, to be on the safe side, he decided to take the Gao sisters and leave quietly, hiding somewhere nearby. If Ma Feng really came to launch a surprise attack, they wouldn’t be found; if not, even better. The dozen or so people took the two women out through the back door and didn’t go far. They circled around and went to an internet cafe across from the dance hall to surf the internet. When Ma Feng arrived with his men, they were clearly seen by the secret team, who nodded in admiration, praising Wang Liang for his uncanny foresight.

Ma Feng paced frantically inside the dance hall, unable to understand how two living people could just disappear into thin air?! In his panic, the wound on his chest started to ache again, and his face turned terrifyingly pale. Yamada sighed secretly upon seeing this, glanced at his watch, and said, “It’s getting late. I think Chen will be back soon. We’d better withdraw first!” Although Ma Feng was reluctant, he had no choice but to follow the others out of the dance hall. Before getting into the car, he glanced back at the door of the dance hall with reluctance, sighed, and shook his head deeply. He never imagined that the two women he was looking for were in the internet cafe across the street, with one of them even peering out through the window. Needless to say, it must be Gao Huiyu. As she watched, she asked Wang Liang beside her, “So, that man is Ma Feng, right?” Wang Liang had never met Ma Feng before, but from how others treated and respected him, he could guess somewhat. He nodded and said, “It’s very likely him.” Gao Huiyu was about the same age as Wang Liang, and their conversation was casual. Frowning slightly, she said, “This guy is the worst. He even tried to use me and my sister to threaten Wen Dong. Wang Liang, didn’t you say your marksmanship is excellent? How about shooting him dead now?”

Wang Liang rolled his eyes. What does “the most venomous woman’s heart” mean?! He said with a bitter smile, “If there weren’t these two young ladies here, if the other side didn’t number over two hundred, I might consider what you just said.” Gao Huiyu curled her lips sarcastically and said, “Why not just make him drop his weapons and kneel alone in front of you? That way you can shoot him then.” Hearing this, Wang Liang nodded seriously and said, “That would indeed be the best.” “Tch…!”

Not long after Ma Feng left, Chen Baicheng returned with a large group of men. Upon entering the dance hall, he saw utter chaos—like it had been hit by a massive tornado, with broken debris everywhere and those dozen or so underlings lying on the ground, covered in wounds. Chen Baicheng didn’t waste time and rushed upstairs to look for the two Gao sisters, but there was no trace of them. It’s over! It’s over! Chen Baicheng slumped to the ground in a daze. He had lost the two sisters right at his doorstep. Not to mention his face, even Xie Wendong would find it hard to deal with him now. After a while, he stood up and shouted, “Someone! Someone!” The underlings below didn’t understand what their boss Chen was going crazy about and rushed over. One of them asked, “Brother Chen, what’s the matter?” Chen Baicheng stamped his foot and yelled, “Even if we turn DL upside down, you must find the Gao sisters for me! Go find them now! Right away!”

“No need to look!” Wang Liang walked in smiling, followed by the two girls. Seeing them, Chen Baicheng let out a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Oh my God, you scared me to death! Where have you been?”

Early the next morning, Xie Wendong arrived. Chen Baicheng personally went to greet him, wearing a flattering smile as he said, “Brother Dong, why did you come in person? I’m here to protect the Gao sisters—no harm will come to them.” Xie Wendong raised an eyebrow. Though he wasn’t in DL, he knew everything about the situation here. Without revealing too much, he said with a smile, “I haven’t seen them in a while and missed them. I took this chance to come and check on them.” Chen Baicheng nodded repeatedly in agreement and invited Xie Wendong into the car. He said, “I’ve arranged everything at the hotel. Brother Dong, shall we bring the two Gao sisters along too?”

Xie Wendong waved his hand and said, “Don’t we have a branch here? There’s no need to stay at a hotel. Staying at the branch will suffice.” Chen Baicheng was puzzled. “But the conditions there are too poor. I’m afraid Brother Dong won’t be comfortable.” Xie Wendong laughed and said, “What’s there to be uncomfortable about? I’ve lived in even worse conditions before.”

Before reaching the dance hall, Xie Wendong told the driver to stop the car. He didn’t want news of his arrival at DL to leak out. If Ma Feng found out he was coming, he’d run faster than a rabbit. He quietly entered through the back door of the dance hall. When he reached the main hall, he was shocked to see it packed with people—this was truly a grand occasion. The few people near where he entered hadn’t seen him before. Seeing a stranger suddenly appear, they were alarmed and drew their knives, surrounding him and demanding sternly, “Who are you?” Before Xie Wendong could speak, a scream answered for him. “Wendong!” Gao Huiyu rushed over with tears in her eyes, throwing herself into his arms in distress and sobbing, “Wendong, do you know? That guy named Feng brought a lot of people. I was almost scared to death.” Wang Liang almost laughed. This young lady hadn’t shown any fear at all before Brother Dong arrived. Xie Wendong gently patted her slender waist and said softly, “It’s okay. I’m here. No matter what that Feng is, I’ll turn him into dead dust.” He looked up and happened to see Gao Hui Mei’s gloomy gaze. He really wanted to step forward and hug his sister, who appeared strong on the surface but was actually tender inside. But with Gao Huiyu around, he had to suppress his impulse. He didn’t want to, nor knew how, to disrupt the delicate relationship among the three of them. Being with the two sisters always made him feel caught between choices, which was why he tried to avoid them as much as possible. But when he learned they were in danger, all his concerns became unimportant and could be set aside. At that moment, Chen Baicheng also walked into the hall, smiling brightly. Stretching his arms, he said, “Brother Dong really should come to DL more often. With such two beauties by his side, even the gods would be jealous.” The two sisters lowered their heads, their faces turning red—utterly stunning. Xie Wendong gently pushed Gao Huiyu away from him and laughed, “Enough, Old Chen. Your talk is getting worse and worse.” Chen Baicheng chuckled, patted his belly, and shook his head sighing, “My general’s belly is getting bigger, and there’s more and more in it!” Xie Wendong laughed and pointed at him, shaking his head. “You…” He paused, then his expression changed as he narrowed his eyes and said, “Help me find out Ma Feng’s whereabouts—his exact location!”

“Yes!” Chen Baicheng didn’t dare delay executing Xie Wendong’s order and hurriedly led people out of the dance hall. Xie Wendong stroked his chin, still uneasy, and said to Liu Bo, “Liu, take some people and go check things out too. Ma Feng is too cunning; I’m afraid Baicheng might not get accurate information.” Liu Bo nodded in agreement, waved to gather his team members, and stepped out quickly. The others weren’t fools either. Seeing that everyone who needed to leave had gone, they realized there was no reason for them to stay and decided to leave as well. They bowed and said, “Brother Dong, we’ll head out first.”

The once crowded dance hall instantly became empty, leaving only Xie Wendong and the Gao sisters. The three sat down, unsure what to say without any outsiders around. Xie Wendong spoke first, “Have you two been doing well lately?” “Pretty well!” the sisters replied in unison. They exchanged glances, both looking a bit embarrassed, and fell silent.

Xie Wendong stood up and said, “I’ve been too busy lately to come visit you two. By the way, I wonder how Brother Gao is doing. It’s been almost two years since we last saw him. I really miss him!” Gao Hui Mei replied, “My brother and sister-in-law are living happily, and the bar business is doing well too.” When she mentioned her sister-in-law, Xie Wendong thought of Ying—the mysterious woman who seemed to live in darkness, who had taken a bullet for him just a month after they met. He took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth without lighting it, and smiled, “If I have time, let’s go home together and spend some time with Brother Gao…” Before Xie Wendong could finish, Gao Hui Yu suddenly asked, “Wendong, do you like Sister?” Her voice was soft, but to Xie Wendong and Gao Hui Mei, it sounded like thunder. They didn’t know what to say for a moment.

Gao Hui Yu added, “If you do, just say it. Every time there’s danger, it’s always Sister and I who bear it. That’s not fair.”

“Xiaoyu…” Xie Wendong didn’t know what to say. He looked at Gao Hui Yu, then at Gao Hui Mei, sighed, and lowered his head in silence, looking like a child who had done something wrong.

Gao Hui Mei stood up, expressionless, and said, “I’m tired. I’m going to rest for a while!” With that, she went upstairs to the second floor of the dance hall, walking slowly. Only she knew she was actually fleeing in panic. Seeing this, Gao Hui Yu shouted, “Why aren’t you talking?” Xie Wendong hung his head and said, “What am I supposed to say?” Hearing his weak voice, he wished he could slap himself. Why could he handle the most dangerous underworld situations with ease, yet act like a fool when it came to emotions? Xie Wendong felt powerless.

Gao Huiyu grew even angrier upon seeing him like this and snapped, “I’m tired too; I’m going to rest!” With that, she followed her sister upstairs.
Xie Wendong was helpless. The three of them had gathered together nicely, but they parted unhappily after just a few words. Was it because Gao Huiyu said something wrong, or because of his own cowardice in matters of love? In the past, Xie Wendong had been very timid and often bullied by others, but he believed he had the smartest mind in the world—why should he be bullied? So, he chose a path with no return. Now, his name was feared in the underworld, but in matters of love, he still retained his cowardly nature. The most frustrating part was that he couldn’t change this nature he himself hated. “Damn you!” Xie Wendong was upset, feeling an indescribable sense of oppression. In a fit of anger, he kicked over the table in front of him, shattering the glass cups on it.
The underlings waiting outside heard something amiss in the dance hall and thought something had happened, so they rushed in. Jiang Sen was the fastest and got there first. Seeing only Xie Wendong in the hall, with the table overturned and glass shards everywhere, he was stunned and asked, “Brother Dong, what happened?”
“Nothing!” Xie Wendong quickly controlled his emotions and said smilingly, “I accidentally knocked over the table.”
“Oh!” Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Two of them came in to clean up, and the rest left. Jiang Sen didn’t go. Xie Wendong’s words could deceive others, but not him. He stepped forward and asked softly, “Brother Dong, what’s really going on? Don’t hold it in; talking about it will make you feel better.” “Sigh!” Xie Wendong sighed and shook his head. “If a man falls in love with several women at the same time, don’t you think that’s unfair to them?”